GEORGES MILLS, NH — Hazel E. (Rueckhardt) Nilson, 111, died November 20, 2019.
Hazel was born in Chicago, IL on August 21, 1908 the daughter of Christoph and Emma (Martin) Rueckhardt.
She and her late husband, Herbert B. “Swede” Nilson, were physical education teachers in Buffalo, NY and believed in staying active. Upon retiring from teaching in 1964 Hazel and Swede moved to Stone Lake, Wisconsin and in 1966 began to spend winters in Florida. She remained active as a member of the Homemakers’ Club and also took up golfing. A longtime member of the First Lutheran Church of Stone Lake she was very active quilting or baking for different events in the community until she moved in 2014 to be closer to family in NH. She led exercise classes while living at the Sunapee Cove Assisted Living facility and attended the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church in New London, NH almost every Sunday. Hazel was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, making national headlines in 2016 when her team won the World Series for the first time since 1908.
Hazel has been an amazing woman, role model and inspiration. She was blessed with good health until just before her death after a short hospitalization.
In addition to her husband Swede, who died in 1992, Hazel was preceded in death by her sons Dick and Robert. She is survived by her daughters- in-law, Nancy Nilson of New London, NH and Jackie Nilson of Buffalo Grove, IL; six grandchildren, Sarah Nilson Cox of Montpelier, VA, Robert Nilson, Jr. of Glen Allen, VA, Elizabeth Nilson Pennino of Charleston, SC, Matthew Nilson of New London, NH, David Nilson of Brashear, Missouri and Melissa Nilson Bennett of Paletine, IL and 13 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9, Stone Lake, WI 54876 or Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, 82 King Hill Road, New London, NH 03257.